{¶26} With respect to an individual, it is clear that "[r]epresenting one's self in a legal proceeding does not constitute practicing law." United States v. Martinez, 1984-NMSC-072, ¶ 2, 101 N.M. 423, 684 P.2d 509 (holding that a judge could appear and defend himself in federal court without practicing law in violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct)
Contrary to the construction urged by defendants, Rule 12-607 does not contemplate a showing of no genuine issue as to any material fact to the end that our pretrial answer to novel questions of New Mexico law would be "determinative" in this narrow sense. For example, in United States v. Martinez, 101 N.M. 423, 684 P.2d 509 (1984), we held that a New Mexico judge could represent himself in civil proceedings without engaging in the practice of law as proscribed by the Canons of Judicial Conduct. This holding, although determinative of a major procedural question, i.e., who would conduct the defense at trial, was not dispositive of the existence of a claim or defense on the merits and did not put an end to the criminal proceedings.
[Unpaginated MIO 3-4] To the contrary, "[t]he practice of law is usually interpreted to entail the representation of others." United States v. Martinez, 1984-NMSC-072, ¶ 2, 101 N.M. 423, 684 P.2d 509. In addition, Defendant does not dispute the law relied upon in this Court's calendar notice.
{5} Our case law is clear that "[t]he practice of law is usually interpreted to entail the representation of others." United States v. Martinez, 101 N.M. 423, 423, 684 P.2d 509, 509 (1984). The representation of parties before judicial or administrative bodies constitutes the practice of law.
Representing one's self in a legal proceeding does not constitute "the practice of law." United States v. Martinez, 101 N.M. 423, 423, 684 P.2d 509, 509 (1984). Representing another, however, does.